Gomes, Ross get Game One World Series start

BOSTON - As expected, the Red Sox started Jonny Gomes in left field instead of Daniel Nava and David Ross was catching with Jon Lester on the mound.

The Red Sox are 6-0 in the playoffs with Gomes in the starting lineup. The karma that the emotio

Kevin McNamara Journal Sports Writer kevinmcnamara33

BOSTON - As expected, the Red Sox started Jonny Gomes in left field instead of Daniel Nava and David Ross was catching with Jon Lester on the mound.

The Red Sox are 6-0 in the playoffs with Gomes in the starting lineup. The karma that the emotional veteran is providing is trumping any statistical difference in starting him or Nava. Manager John Farrell says Cardinal starters Adam Wainwright and Wacha don't have dramatic differences in their stats in facing right and left-handed hitters.

"Jonny has done an excellent job in the time that he started, evident by the way that we've performed by a team, but I can't single him out as the reason why," Farrell said.

Gomes is hitting .176 (3-of-17) against righties in the playoffs and 2-for-8 vs. lefties. Farrell made sure to credit Nava, who was eighth in the American League in hitting (.303) and fifth in OBP (.385). Nava could see the start in both games in St. Louis, if only because of his superior defensive ability.

"Keeping Daniel Nava involved will be there," said Farrell. "We sat down and talked a couple of times and given my thoughts and rationale behind some of the decisions, he's on board and very much a team player. He admits and recognizes to his credit that this is about us as a team and not an individual."

As for Ross, he's caught Lester in Game One and Five of the ALCS and is hitting .333 (3-of-9) in the playoffs.